The Escape

At the age of 12, Richard Lainez and his mother quested on a trip seeking economical freedom. As a native of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Lainez and his mother embarked on their dreams by means of traveling to the United States. 

Lainez says, “Here there are greater job opportunities and economical situations.”

"There was a bunch of unemployment."

While shaking his head and reminiscing on his experiences in Honduras he explains, “You couldn’t literally walk on the street without being kidnapped." 

He also says in Honduras, “You’re either really poor or really rich.”

However, leaving behind love ones was the greatest challenge.  It was a matter of finding his way in a whole new world.

Like many other students in the United States Lainez is not alone. 

According to the United States Census Bureau one year ago, there was nearly 300 million residents living in the United States.

Although he had a hard time connecting with others when he first moved here, he is on a path continuing to find his purpose in life as a junior at the University of Florida studying biology.